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Thursday, 1 December 2016

Is Blogging A Reality Or An Illusion?

Hi! It's December already! I tend to reflect a lot at the beginning of a new month, new week or new season. Newness inspires me.

While I was reflecting, I thought about how far I have come with blogging. And it dawned on me that yours truly hasn't bagged any award yet. Lol. But why?

The Rewards Of A Blogger

Being a blogger wasn't something I have always wanted to do. In fact, I stumbled on it.

My weekly podcasts 'Heart Rays' opened the door to more platforms for expression, and I'm grateful for the day I decided to carve out this little corner of the internet with my name on it.

It's been more than two years of creating content. I am not going to share all the insights that I have gained so far – it just wouldn’t be right (and even possible) for me to share every secret, blessings and miracles that have come my way!

I thought to REIGNITE my desire to share my experiences and lessons to inspiring a better world. The purpose is not to record the progress I have made for myself or to show off – But, to appreciate your support, fuel your spirit and inspire you to do more.

Blogging is a passionate field. It is driven by a desire to share life experiences for the benefit of others. Yet, it is a serious job. Sadly, many people do not know that. My mum doesn't.

I believe every authentic blogger is employable. Blogging requires focus, if taken seriously. The components of blogging - creation, promotion, and administration take a lot of time and energy.

Phew. To be honest, blogging is not as easy as it looks.

I respect bloggers. I have deep appreciation of their hard work and dedication. Many of whom are busy parents, professionals, finding moments to craft their ideas into useful prose for our satisfaction.

Hey! Don't go thinking you are not a blogger. You are oh! If you write something on Facebook and receive comments and feedback, you are a blogger. If you Tweet a short sentence of 140 characters on Twitter, you are a micro blogger. If you upload a video to YouTube where you can obtain subscribers and elicit comments, you are a video blogger. So everyone is apparently a blogger. Lol.

While I thought about my own "little or nothing" experience, I realized I have indeed been rewarded without necessarily winning an award.

I may not be an award-winning blogger but I am a multiple reward-receiving blogger. :D

Awww . . .

As a diligent blogger, writer, artist, or creative, you may not have won any award but trust me, you are rewarded in ways you cannot see.

First of all,

What is the difference between an award and a reward?

The two words are interrelated because they basically refer to the same thing. Both words refer to a thing given in recognition of service, effort, or achievement. However, I google-searched out four distinctive features of both. Viz:

Rewards are ‘given’ and awards are ‘won’. An award is a recognition that you get after certain persons or a committee of judges takes a decision. While rewards are most of the time given by an individual who takes the decision.

Awards are tokens of appreciation, which are given to individuals for their achievements. Rewards on the other hand are also recognition but it is a kind of acknowledgement (a gift) to an individual.

Awards can come in form of commemorative plaques, medals, trophies, certificates, titles, badges, pins and cash. Rewards most of time is associated with money or a promotion or something like that.

Awards are generally given in front of an audience whereas a reward is generally given privately.

I love the fourth point - Rewards are private. So may I break the record of making my rewards public?

Winning an award for your blog (or craft) is a great thing because it opens the doors to unlimited opportunities for more growth and increase in your earning capacity. A blogger or blog who has won an award not only gain more and more followers with every passing day but also increases her earning potentials.

Deep in our hearts, we'd love to be recognized for our work.

For those of us yet to win an award or record a big success, what can we do? We can't kill ourselves! We just have to keep giving our best and being our best.

Before the big things come, we must learn to celebrate the little things.

My relationship with Frances has spilled beyond the blogosphere. Not only have I been rewarded with two books, I have also been rewarded with one of the best of friends anyone could wish for. I love these books and I love the authors even more. I wrote a review here.

Shoes
This was supposedly a blog giveaway but it turned out to be a gift because I didn't struggle for it. Gloria, sweet Glo as I fondly call her is more than a co-blogger. I met her on the blogosphere, but today, we talk as though we are twin sisters (literally). The first time I heard her voice, I thought someone was echoing my own voice. Lol. We have a chemistry. Looking forward to giving you a real hug, sweetie. Biko, when are you coming to Lagos?

Sneakers
Johnero isn't someone I met on the blogosphere, but he is someone I have come to love and appreciate through my interaction with him on the blogosphere. Not only have I been rewarded with these lovely pair of sneakers, I have also been rewarded with an external motivator. There is barely a post without Johnero's comment on it. Thank you, dear.

Jewellery
I love surprises. And these gifts came by surprise. All the way from Botswana, Ore-ofe sent me a beautiful wrapped package with the inscription "Happy Birthday, Amaka from Ore-Ofe". When I unwrapped it, I found a box of chocolate, a necklace and a pair of earrings. If she was a boy, trust me, I would have dated her long ago. She is such a sweetheart.

Frances is bae. Those who regularly visit my blog know I love her to the moon and back. She gave me a gift of seeing some beautiful place. Everything about the tour is right HERE.

More Creativity

Nothing like a focused passion to improve your creativity. The more you blog, the more you will find yourself becoming more creative. I keep creating and creating. My sewing skills, voicing skills, writing skills and even my modelling skills have greatly improved. I owe it to the blogosphere.

Development
Someone said, three things can change a man - the books he reads, the places he goes to and the people he meets. Being on the blogosphere has changed me in ways I cannot define. From the beginning of the year until now, every blog I have visited and every blogger I have exchanged rays with has imparted me positively. I have grown wiser and better. You are one of the blessings that God promised me.

Blogging is living. It is real as life it self.

Like I mentioned in this post, having a blog is one of the most important things an entrepreneur or a person can do. Most people are yet to get this blogging thingy.

Do you have a blog? I'd love to hear about your rewards in the comment box. :)

Keep This:

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. (Colossians 3:23-24)

You may not get an award, but remember God sees your work. He will surely reward you somehow!

Honestly, this year wouldn't have been so much fun without you leaving comments, sending encouragement and supporting me through the sad and happy moments.

Thank you for every single click. I love you so so much. (please insert a thousand kiss smileys for yourself here jhorr).

P.S Miraculously, I have adhered to an editorial schedule as I wholeheartedly shared biblical reviews across various topics ranging from career to business on Mondays, diaries of personal experiences/lessons on Tuesdays, tips and ideas to support our relationships on Wednesdays, random gists about books, poems or pictures to ease off stress for the weekend on Thursdays, and style ideas about what I wore on Sundays. It's been so much fun! I feel blessed and fulfilled! Glory to God!

Do you see your rewards in the things that you do? Is Blogging real to you?